Odd day jobs of Olympians

The path to gold isn’t always a path to riches. Many Olympians train alongside their day jobs--picking up trash, fighting fires, or laying concrete. Without sponsor support, financial backing, or paid leave, athletes have to fund their own training and Olympic dreams. The days of the amateur-only Olympic Games may be long gone, but the “everyman” spirit lives on. -By Andrew Dubbins, Yahoo! Sports

1 - 7 of 7

1 - 7 of 7

1 of 7 photos

When she isn't lifting weights for Team GB, Welsh-born Natasha Perdue lifts garbage cans. The 36-year-old weightlifter balances her day job at the refuse department of Leeds City Council with an intense nine session a week training regime. Formerly a national karate champion, Perdue switched to weightlifting after her father (who lifted for Britain in Munich and Mexico) passed away. She told BBC Wales Sport, “I would love him to be here, just ... more
When she isn't lifting weights for Team GB, Welsh-born Natasha Perdue lifts garbage cans. The 36-year-old weightlifter balances her day job at the refuse department of Leeds City Council with an intense nine session a week training regime. Formerly a national karate champion, Perdue switched to weightlifting after her father (who lifted for Britain in Munich and Mexico) passed away. She told BBC Wales Sport, “I would love him to be here, just to see what he would say to me…” (Clive Mason/Getty Images) less

Like Yahoo! Sports on Facebook
The official Facebook page for the world's most visited sports site! More »
www.facebook.com
Follow @YahooSports on Twitter
The official account of Yahoo! Sports. 100% feed-free tweets by sports fans for sports fans! More »
twitter.com